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Doc Hoy

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Shooters,

As perhaps y'all remember I am starting up after a long time away from shooting BP. I am getting to the point where I think I am pretty consistent with my technique. I feel like am shooting the same way nearly every time.

I am getting good groups but in two out of three pistols yesterday I was shooting two to three inches to the right. The pistol which gave me well centered groups was the ROA (adjustable sights) which I may have adjusted to counteract a problem.

I think that I may be pulling my shots to the right because of something I am doing. I have carefully examined the pistols I used and there seems to be no alignment problems. To put it in the words of the "kid" in "Unforgiven", "It ain't bent!"

Any suggestions?
 
I'm thinkin thats it.

Ar15,

Yes....I am thinking you are correct. When I shot in the Navy, we overcame that tendency by only using the very tip of our finger. (At least toward the tip from the first knuckle) On the .45 it was a finger geometry versus pistol geometry thing. Trigger pull is straight back no matter where you put your finger. Not so on the BP revolvers. I got used to that and although, the last time I held a .45 was about 20 years ago, the habit has persisted. When we consistently shot to the right, the gunner's mate accused us of "hauling timber."

I shoot alone so I would not know, but I think this is pretty much standard. So I think my finger position is correct. Is there perhaps another tendency that results in pulling to the right? Something that every one of you knows about but that I have missed.

Tnx,

Barry
 
AccuracyErrorChart.jpg
 
The only other thing I know to tell you that you might try is, dry fire practice. While sqeezing the trigger keep a VERY close eye on your front sight, see if it moves at all. When I 1st got back into shooting hand-guns, I had a heak of a time, not pulling the gun over to my right. I still do it when I speed up my rate of fire, havent got that one down yet. The above diagram looks very help-ful. I have never seen that before.
 
I think that I may be pulling my shots to the right because of something I am doing. I have carefully examined the pistols I used and there seems to be no alignment problems. To put it in the words of the "kid" in "Unforgiven", "It ain't bent!"
Click to expand...

If the groups are tight then I don't think you are pulling your shoots. Try shooting from a sand bag rest and see what happens. You may need to widen the hammer notch a little to get closer to center.
 
I'm right handed and tend to pull the shots high and to the left, at a local gun shop there are a few mock up pistols with laser sights mounted on the counter, and a target behind the counter- you can pick them up, aim, and pull the trigger, and the laser shows you where you're pulling the shot. If you are left handed, then pulling hight and to the right would be normal- if I shoot very slowly and from a rest, the effect goes away- but shooting offhand with certain pistols (especially my Haskell 45 auto) I have to shoot low/right to hit the bull- but group excellent. Pistols move very easily due to their small weight/barrel length and what you are experiencing is normal. To really get the gun "dead on" you could vise hold it and fire it, and sight it in that way- then you know the gun is right and work on your technique. Just make sure you use a vise holder that is soft, so as not to damage the gun.

blackpowder groups typically do go all over, because of loading variations in the powder. It's easy to put in 1/2 to 1/4 of a grain more/less of powder, and that will affect your groups.
 
It's easy to put in 1/2 to 1/4 of a grain more/less of powder, and that will affect your groups.
Click to expand...

I haven't done a scientific study or logged any data, but I have to change loads by 4 or 5 grains before I see a change in POI. I tried some 2 gr changes and did not see a change at all.
 
Quote CC:
blackpowder groups typically do go all over, because of loading variations in the powder.
Click to expand...

That is simply not true.

Quote CC:
It's easy to put in 1/2 to 1/4 of a grain more/less of powder, and that will affect your groups.
Click to expand...

Using that heathen smokeless stuff and measuring by weight; maybe. BP measured by volume, never.

Quote MCB
I haven't done a scientific study or logged any data, but I have to change loads by 4 or 5 grains before I see a change in POI. I tried some 2 gr changes and did not see a change at all.
Click to expand...

My experience also MCB.
 
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